1710 replies to this topic

[BackmarkerUK]

Can't pretend that I don't find Palmer in sixth baffling though.

British press bias? All 3 British drivers who completed the season in Autosport's top six.

[Kyo]

British press bias? All 3 British drivers who completed the season in Autosport's top six.

they basically took the championship standings, placed Calado 1st and switched Palmer - Van der Garde.

[Jackman]

Shouldn't this now flick to the 2013 thread?

[olliek88]

Just watched the Josh Hill feature on SkyF1 and Martin Whitmarsh picked out GP2's now pretty obvious problems of being too expensive and having too many drivers hanging around for too long, he rightly said its a development series and he had a couple of (i think good) suggestions, introduce two rules, the first being that all teams must have a rookie driver and drivers can only stay for a maximum of three season. The first might be a little bit tricky to employ but i quite like his second idea.

[HistoryFan]

Hmm then we wouldn't have seen Maldonado in F1 and so on.

I think the costs is the problem.

[olliek88]

Hmm then we wouldn't have seen Maldonado in F1 and so on.

I think the costs is the problem.

And thats a bad thing?



I'm jesting of course! If you've been around GP2 for 4/5 years though the only way your getting into F1 is with a massive cheque, they could always try FR3.5 ala Bianchi & Bird, last chance saloon again though.

[KingB]

all teams must have a rookie driver and drivers can only stay for a maximum of three season. The first might be a little bit tricky to employ but i quite like his second idea.

soooooo what about drivers replacing someone midseason....like Canamasas....or even Rosenzweig for just two weekends...does this count?;)

[noikeee]

Just watched the Josh Hill feature on SkyF1 and Martin Whitmarsh picked out GP2's now pretty obvious problems of being too expensive and having too many drivers hanging around for too long, he rightly said its a development series and he had a couple of (i think good) suggestions, introduce two rules, the first being that all teams must have a rookie driver and drivers can only stay for a maximum of three season. The first might be a little bit tricky to employ but i quite like his second idea.

That's too harsh. I'm always suspicious of drivers who take ages to come good but Maldonado is the ultimate example of why they should be given a chance. Was quick for years but never consistent enough. Then on his 4th season absolutely MURDERED the series and went on to become a GP winner.

My suggestion is: you're forbidden to race GP2 if you haven't won at least 1 race at a reasonably competitive level for the past 2 seasons (GP2 itself included - if you've been for 2 years and haven't won a race, you're out). That should filter out some of the useless drivers, for example Cecotto, Kral, Gonzalez, Trummer, Crestani, Binder, Canamasas and Teixeira wouldn't have had seats this year, some of them with very top teams which is completely unfair.

The key issue however is costs and for as long as you have to pay ridiculously overpriced fortunes for spec Dallaras, GP2 is going to be paydriver land.

[KingB]

but that's tricky too....what if you shine brilliantly in your first season in an uncompetitive GP3 car...then you take opportunity to race GP2 for Ocean...you shine again with some podiums...but the car isn't capable of winning. and then you're out?

[noikeee]

You could drop back to gp3 or any other slightly less competitive series for a few guest appearances and try to get a win. Felix da Costa and Nasr are doing F3 just to be eligible for Macau...

Alternatively you could make sure you don't move out of GP3 so early.

[jee]

Same way Valsecchi won GP2 this year - hung around until everyone better had moved on.

I have to disagree.

In my opinion you have to look at the races and not the results to see if someone is capable of being an F1 driver.

Maldonado has shown great performances the seasons before his title but was not consistent enough.
Same for Valsecchi who had some very strong races, I think the was the most talented driver in GP2 this season.